Ocean City: 'America's Greatest Family Resort'

Ocean City takes pride in its "Three Bs": the beach, bay and boardwalk.

The barrier island features eight miles of beaches and a 2.5-mile boardwalk with amusement rides, shops, restaurants and food vendors. Ocean City's bayfront features marinas providing fishing charters, parasailing, personal watercraft rentals and pirate cruises for kids.

The resort has no bars or liquor stores and promotes its reputation as "America's Greatest Family Resort."

In 2013, Ocean City has been promoting its full recovery from Superstorm Sandy with a months-long "We're Open for Business" campaign.

Beach tags: Discounted seasonal beach tags are on sale now — online and at six locations in Ocean City. The 2013 seasonal tags cost $20 if purchased by May 31. On June 1, the price goes up to $25.

Online orders include a $5 shipping cost. Beachgoers can save that fee by purchasing tags at the following locations (which include expanded hours this spring): 

• City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), and the Henry S. Knight Building, 115 12th Street. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily)
• The Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays)
• Roy Gillian Welcome Center, 16 E. Ninth St. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday)
• Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue. (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays)
• 46th Street Municipal Building, (Next to Post Office on West Avenue) (Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) 
  

Beach tags are required for children ages 12 and older and will be required June 8 to Sept. 2 this year. 

Weekly beach tags are $10, and daily beach tags cost $5.

Guarded beaches: The Ocean City Beach Patrol protects beaches from Memorial Day through September. Lifeguards will be on duty 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the followingbeaches to start the season: St. Charles Place, Brighton Place, Eighth Street, Ninth Street, 11th, 12th, 14th, 18th, 26th, 34th, 44th and 57th streets. By the third week of June, Ocean City's beaches will be fully patrolled.

Surfing: Designated surfing beaches are at Waverly Beach (off E. Atlantic Blvd.), Seventh Street and in between guarded beaches south of 34th Street.

Boardwalk: Bikes are allowed on the boards between 8 a.m. and noon from May 15 through Labor Day. Rental bicycles are available at shops up and down the boardwalk.

Parking: Metered parking (25 cents for 10 minutes) and paid parking lots (prices vary) are available on the beach blocks in the downtown area. This year, most meters near thebeach and boardwalk will accept credit cards. Parking is free on streets elsewhere in Ocean City. Prices vary at municipal and private parking lots near the boardwalk.